Saturday, March 7, 2009

Feeling Better

Brianna is much better now. The bleeding ear turned out to be a middle ear infection. Nothing that a little antibiotics can't handle. Praise God. She is getting so big now and learning so much. Her language skills are increasing and just about every day she makes a different sound. Lately her sound has been "do it, do it, do it" it is so funny. She still hasn't mastered crawling in the traditional way but she gets up on all fours, moves her knees and hands, rolls forward or sideways, gets back up, starts over and moves all over the room. She is able to roll over and sit up by herself and we have been encouraging her to reach up and try to pull herself up.

4 comments:

This picture of Brianna is so precious. I am glad to hear she is doing better and excited about her progress. Thanks for the lesson on leaving comments, I got it now. Hope all is well with you and Jerry.

Thank you so much for sharing your link info with me. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog and getting to know a bit more about your family. I look forward to sharing a meal when it works out for you - and in the meantime will pray that the infection will quickly respond to the antibiotics. You are a very special family and I pray blessings on the four of you!

Our Family Christmas 2008

Photo by Martha Bravo

Definition of Trisomy 18

Edwards Syndrome : Edwards Syndrome (Trisomy 18) is a chromosomal abnormality where there is an extra chromosome present in every cell of the body. This is an example of where “the more the merrier” is not true. This extra chromosome means that every cell has extra information encoded into it. The extra information causes confusion in the way that the cells are formed and results in the potential malformation of all of the body systems. Sadly, this condition is considered "not compatible with life". Just like with Down's Syndrome (Trisomy 21), there is a wide range of how this condition will play out (what the doctor's will refer to as your child's phenotype). Unfortunately because there is more information encoded on the 18th chromosome, the severity of this condition is greater than that of Down's Syndrome. Current studies show that while 1:1500 children will be diagnosed prenatally with trisomy 18, only half that number (or 1:3000) will be born alive at full term. Of those who survive to birth, only half will make it to two months of age, and only 10% will survive to their first birthday. Children who live can be an important part of their family and community, but are profoundly developmentally delayed.

But oh, how we love these special little babies. When Brianna was born we were told she would probably leave this earth within 24 hours...but look at her now. 24 months old, healthy, adorable and amazing. God has been so good. Brenda

Bri's Medical Condition

Brianna was full-term born on April 12, 2007, weighing 5 lb 18 oz and 18" long. Her Apgar scores at birth were 8 and 9. Approximately 15 hours after her birth we were advised of the tentative Trisomy 18 diagnosis.

Immediate health issues had to do with her heart: Mainly, a VSD (Ventricular Septal Defect); PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosus) ; and a PFO.

Open Heart Surgery at 4 months and

G-tube placement before we came home.

Eye surgery in Spring of '08 to correct cross-eyes.

Tubes placed in ears in Fall of '08 hoping to quash the numerous ear infections.

Scan of abdominal section in Dec. '08. Everthing appears normal.

Brianna takes formula by g-tube but eats baby food by mouth. She can hear, see, is rolling over, sitting up, trying to crawl, playing with toys, says "da da"; "do it, do it, do it" and various other sounds. She is the happiest child we have ever known.